Real Music, Real Artists, Real Opinions

Menu

AHI – In Our Time

Album:
In Our Time

Artist: AHI

Label: 22nd Century Records

The Upshot: Canadian indie soul-rocker, with his “young Springsteen” vibe, may be poised to break big.

BY JOHN B. MOORE

Although AHI (pronounced “eye’) is not know much outside of his native Canada – and to be honest, not even known by many there – he’s just put out a record that deserves a big audience and will hopefully lead to it.

In Our Time, his sophomore effort, defies obvious categorizing. It could fit in with the quieter Indie rock fare of Iron & Wine or The Decemberist, just as easily alongside Stevie Wonder or Prince in his quieter moments or a slew of modern folk artists.

The first thing you notice about AHI is his deeply commanding voice that somehow manages to be both soothing and gravely at the same time. But once you start to finally focus on the words he’s singing you realize the key ingredient to his future, inevitable success are the lyrics. Much like a younger Springsteen, a number of the songs here focus on getting out (the sublime “Five Butterflies” being the best example) or avoiding exploitation (the powerfully quiet protest song “We Want Enough”).

Though AHI may not be a household name right now, if there’s any justice In Our Time will take care of that shortly.

Post navigation

THE BLURT JAZZ DESK

ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAZZ FANS!
Join Bill “Musoscribe” Kopp for a look at the jazz world – past, present, and yet-to-come, via interviews, essays, and reviews of new releases and archival titles.GO HEREfor full details, along with direct links to this exclusive content. Most recently: #11, seven recent releases from MPS, Modern Harmonic, Varese Sarabande, and North Texas Jazz.